Septic Tank Pumping Is Just as Important as Changing the Oil in Your Car

Why does the oil in your car need changing? Why is septic tank pumping necessary? The answer is the same for both questions – to extend its life and protect your investment. Routine pumping of a septic tank protects the drain field and extends the life of the entire system. Let’s explain…

Sewage from your home enters the tank via an inlet pipe and baffle. The latter deflects waste and water into the tank which contains liquid. When it’s there, greases and solids are separated. The sludge settles on the bottom of the tank, while the grease forms a layer of scum at the top. The liquid in the middle of a well-maintained tank is relatively clear. This is called effluent. When wastewater enters the tank, the level rises, allowing effluent to run into the drain field via an outlet baffle.

If you don’t have septic tank pumping performed regularly, the effluent retention time is significantly reduced. What does this mean? Well, simply put, the liquid area between the sludge and the scum layer becomes too small. Therefore, the solids don’t have a chance to separate into sludge and scum, resulting in them being pushed into the distribution lines and ultimately clogging the drain field.

When determining a septic tank pumping schedule that’s good for your system, you need to consider two factors:

1. The gallon capacity of the tank.
2. The number of occupants in your household.

At Southeastern Septic LLC, we offer a full range of residential and commercial septic services in the Lakeland area of Florida, including green swamp and real estate inspections. Please contact us for more information.